Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LAGOS366
2006-03-10 16:27:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Lagos
Cable title:
NIGERIA: HOSTAGE-TAKING, SITREP # 21
how-toVZCZCXRO5316 OO RUEHPA DE RUEHOS #0366/01 0691627 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 101627Z MAR 06 FM AMCONSUL LAGOS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6766 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON IMMEDIATE 0587 RUEPGDA/USEUCOM JIC VAIHINGEN GE IMMEDIATE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 000366
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE PASS DOE FOR DAS JBRODMAN AND CGAY
TREASURY FOR ASEVERENS AND SRENENDER
COMMERCE FOR KBURRESS
STATE PASS TRANSPORTATION FOR MARAD
STATE PASS USAID FOR GWEYNAND AND SLAWAETZ
STATE FOR DS/IP/AF, AF/EX, DS/IP/OPO, DS/ICI/PII, DS/DSS/ITA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/07/2016
TAGS: EPET PGOV ASEC PTER KHLS PINR ETRD CASC NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: HOSTAGE-TAKING, SITREP # 21
REF: LAGOS 363
Classified By: Acting Political/Economic Chief Shannon Ross
for reasons 1.4 (D/E).
----------------------
Hostage Welfare Update
----------------------
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 000366
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE PASS DOE FOR DAS JBRODMAN AND CGAY
TREASURY FOR ASEVERENS AND SRENENDER
COMMERCE FOR KBURRESS
STATE PASS TRANSPORTATION FOR MARAD
STATE PASS USAID FOR GWEYNAND AND SLAWAETZ
STATE FOR DS/IP/AF, AF/EX, DS/IP/OPO, DS/ICI/PII, DS/DSS/ITA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/07/2016
TAGS: EPET PGOV ASEC PTER KHLS PINR ETRD CASC NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: HOSTAGE-TAKING, SITREP # 21
REF: LAGOS 363
Classified By: Acting Political/Economic Chief Shannon Ross
for reasons 1.4 (D/E).
--------------
Hostage Welfare Update
--------------
1. (C) There is no new information regarding the welfare of
the hostages. Family letters were given to the journalists
scheduled to tour the militant camps this weekend, and Conoff
reported he saw a Reuters journalist arriving in Warri this
morning. The Shell crisis group agreed to ask released
hostage Macon Hawkins to make a public appeal to the
kidnappers for the release of the remaining hostages.
--------------
Hostage Negotiations
--------------
2. (C) Delta State Secretary to the State Government (SSG)
Emmanuel Uduaghan contacted Conoff to tell him he expected
the hostages to be released within 1 or 2 days. The State
Commissioner of Transport, Bosin Ebikeme, claimed to be in
separate contact with the militants and to have visited them
yesterday. Ebikeme said the militants did not trust the GON
to make good on its promise of no reprisals. The SSG also
confirmed that Chief Edwin Clark was convening a meeting in
Yenagoa, Bayelsa State with Ijaw elders, including Oronto
Douglas. Douglas claimed at a late afternoon press
conference the elders would call for the militants to release
the hostages within 12 hours or be disowned. (Comment: If
the militants disregard the elders, we are concerned the GON
might use this as political cover for military action. Their
refusal to respond to the leaders' pleas could be portrayed
as incorrigibility. End Comment.)
3. (C) Shell reported Oronto Douglas would not begin to
negotiate on behalf of the Movement for the Emancipation of
the Niger Delta (MEND) until the hostages were released. HMG
plans a Cobra ministerial level meeting to discuss Douglas'
potential role in the negotiations. HMG is also discussing
negotiation tactics with NGO head Judith Asuni. Shell sources
claim the militants are asking for Minister of State for
Petroleum Daukoru to play a greater role in negotiations.
--------------
More MEND Threats
--------------
4. (C) Oil security contacts report Shell has raised the
alert status to "high" at its Bonny Island (including
Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG)) facilities. The State
Security Service (SSS) reportedly released a threat warning
to AGIP, Willbros, and NLNG for the next 72 hours. Willbros
confirmed they met with the SSS last night and were told that
there were credible threats over the next 72 hours. Willbros
consequently pulled their personnel from Port Harcourt for
that time period.
--------------
Military Update
--------------
5. (C) Delta SSG Uduaghan said militant distrust of the GON
and nervousness regarding its plans was reinforced by
increased airforce presence in Warri.
--------------
Media Update
--------------
6. (SBU) Media published e-mail statements from the
militants accusing the military of unprovoked attacks in the
Odidi area and threatening revenge. A press release sent by
Cynthia Whyte as MEND secretary threatened a complete
LAGOS 00000366 002 OF 002
destruction of Exxon Mobil facilities within 21 days if
compensation for the 1998 oil spill was not paid. The
military, in statements to the press, denied any casualties
in yesterday's attacks.
--------------
Consular Update
--------------
7. (C) There have been no reports of additional attacks on
AmCits. One mission Conoff is are in Warri monitoring
negotiations and prepared to assist with repatriation. The
UK also has a consular officer in Warri to monitor
negotiations and assist with repatriation. The head of Shell
Security is on standby for repatriation assistance.
HOWE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE PASS DOE FOR DAS JBRODMAN AND CGAY
TREASURY FOR ASEVERENS AND SRENENDER
COMMERCE FOR KBURRESS
STATE PASS TRANSPORTATION FOR MARAD
STATE PASS USAID FOR GWEYNAND AND SLAWAETZ
STATE FOR DS/IP/AF, AF/EX, DS/IP/OPO, DS/ICI/PII, DS/DSS/ITA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/07/2016
TAGS: EPET PGOV ASEC PTER KHLS PINR ETRD CASC NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: HOSTAGE-TAKING, SITREP # 21
REF: LAGOS 363
Classified By: Acting Political/Economic Chief Shannon Ross
for reasons 1.4 (D/E).
--------------
Hostage Welfare Update
--------------
1. (C) There is no new information regarding the welfare of
the hostages. Family letters were given to the journalists
scheduled to tour the militant camps this weekend, and Conoff
reported he saw a Reuters journalist arriving in Warri this
morning. The Shell crisis group agreed to ask released
hostage Macon Hawkins to make a public appeal to the
kidnappers for the release of the remaining hostages.
--------------
Hostage Negotiations
--------------
2. (C) Delta State Secretary to the State Government (SSG)
Emmanuel Uduaghan contacted Conoff to tell him he expected
the hostages to be released within 1 or 2 days. The State
Commissioner of Transport, Bosin Ebikeme, claimed to be in
separate contact with the militants and to have visited them
yesterday. Ebikeme said the militants did not trust the GON
to make good on its promise of no reprisals. The SSG also
confirmed that Chief Edwin Clark was convening a meeting in
Yenagoa, Bayelsa State with Ijaw elders, including Oronto
Douglas. Douglas claimed at a late afternoon press
conference the elders would call for the militants to release
the hostages within 12 hours or be disowned. (Comment: If
the militants disregard the elders, we are concerned the GON
might use this as political cover for military action. Their
refusal to respond to the leaders' pleas could be portrayed
as incorrigibility. End Comment.)
3. (C) Shell reported Oronto Douglas would not begin to
negotiate on behalf of the Movement for the Emancipation of
the Niger Delta (MEND) until the hostages were released. HMG
plans a Cobra ministerial level meeting to discuss Douglas'
potential role in the negotiations. HMG is also discussing
negotiation tactics with NGO head Judith Asuni. Shell sources
claim the militants are asking for Minister of State for
Petroleum Daukoru to play a greater role in negotiations.
--------------
More MEND Threats
--------------
4. (C) Oil security contacts report Shell has raised the
alert status to "high" at its Bonny Island (including
Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG)) facilities. The State
Security Service (SSS) reportedly released a threat warning
to AGIP, Willbros, and NLNG for the next 72 hours. Willbros
confirmed they met with the SSS last night and were told that
there were credible threats over the next 72 hours. Willbros
consequently pulled their personnel from Port Harcourt for
that time period.
--------------
Military Update
--------------
5. (C) Delta SSG Uduaghan said militant distrust of the GON
and nervousness regarding its plans was reinforced by
increased airforce presence in Warri.
--------------
Media Update
--------------
6. (SBU) Media published e-mail statements from the
militants accusing the military of unprovoked attacks in the
Odidi area and threatening revenge. A press release sent by
Cynthia Whyte as MEND secretary threatened a complete
LAGOS 00000366 002 OF 002
destruction of Exxon Mobil facilities within 21 days if
compensation for the 1998 oil spill was not paid. The
military, in statements to the press, denied any casualties
in yesterday's attacks.
--------------
Consular Update
--------------
7. (C) There have been no reports of additional attacks on
AmCits. One mission Conoff is are in Warri monitoring
negotiations and prepared to assist with repatriation. The
UK also has a consular officer in Warri to monitor
negotiations and assist with repatriation. The head of Shell
Security is on standby for repatriation assistance.
HOWE